History

Why study at Roehampton

High-quality, research-led teaching (96% of students satisfied with teaching in National Student Survey 2014).

You will be able to study special themes including the history of warfare from ancient Sparta to the Third Reich, and the histories of sex and violence.

Three-week placement on an archaeological dig or at a school or museum.

100% of History research is rated “world leading” or “internationally excellent” for the impact it is has on society (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

You will have the opportunity to do a work placement module in historical research, museum work or documentary making.

This is one of the UK’s most wide-ranging history courses, and provides you with a great basis for a variety of professions – nine out of 10 graduates were in work or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2014). We offer one of the most diverse history programmes in the UK with the opportunity to study everything from ancient Greece to modern Latin America, from the social history of medieval Europe to Tudor England.

More details

Our BA in History balances vital academic studies for history today with personalised preparation for the 21st-century workplace. This course opens up new possibilities in historical thinking and writing.

Year-by-year summary

First year

We want to help you develop your identity as a historian, so right from the beginning you are able to pursue your own, independent project, which is supported by our history team. In other modules, you explore exciting periods, places and themes, such as ancient Macedonia, Spanish colonial America, revolutionary France, the Black Death in late medieval Europe, and Europe in Asia.

Second year

In our Histories module, you develop your understanding of different social, cultural and technological approaches to history through the theme of war. And a thematically-broad range of optional modules builds on your first-year experience. You develop your research and critical skills through engagement with particular concepts, places and periods such as gender and sexuality in ancient Greece, conquest in medieval England, and revolution in Latin America. You can also take a work placement option, and go on a study trip to Rome. Please find below further information on the study trip to Rome.

Third year

As well as taking more specialised options, designed to give you in-depth exposure to the research specialisms of the programme team, including medicine, childhood, warfare and crime, you will study original documents more intensively and prepare a dissertation or a special long essay involving independent research under the guidance of a supervisor.

Typical timetable

Across the three years of the degree programme, you will be increasingly expected to develop your independence as a student and as a researcher. Modules are allocated a 3.5-hour teaching slot each week, with some of this time usually allocated to a lecture; however, the remaining time can be given over to seminar-based discussion, student-led group work and presentations.

Second year study trip to Rome

‘The Ancient City of Rome’ is a second year module that combines a series of on-campus tutorial and preparation sessions with a study trip to the city of Rome. Whilst in Rome you will visit public monumental areas such as the Capitolium and the Palatine, and Churches such as St. Peter and the Vatican. You will also venture outside of Rome, visiting places such as Ostia, Tibur, Palestrina and Cerveteri.

In addition to studying overseas you will have the opportunity to combine your academic learning with practical experience on the work placement module. The module aims to enable you to develop your skills in critical, historical and visual analysis and interpretation with the aim of transferring and applying those skills to your chosen area of employment.

Here’s what some of our current students had to say about their work placements:

“My work placement was in Hitchin and Letchworth museum. I was asked by my manager, the local council archaeologist, to research a Saxon pot that had recently been found but hadn’t been identified. As a result I may get quoted in his research paper”. Isobel Murray, Classic Civilisation student

“I did my work placement as the museum of Somerset in Taunton. I got to try lots of different roles, but what I really enjoyed was the front of house work, where I got to communicate with the public. The work placement has helped me decide that when I leave university I want to go into a marketing/communications role”. Madeline Lukes, Classic Civilisation student

Example modules

Prosperity and Violence in the Age of the Vikings c. 870–1030

Germany, 1871–1945: Kaiserreich, Republic and Third Reich

The Ancient City of Rome – Study Trip to Rome

Career options

You will gain skills to be able to go into many different careers including publishing, broadcasting, law, the charity sector, accountancy and teaching.